PULMONOLOGY

A study on CHF6523, an inhaled PI3Kδ inhibitor, evaluated its safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics in COPD patients. While target engagement was achieved, it did not translate into significant anti-inflammatory effects.

Study Evaluates Inhaled PI3Kδ Inhibitor CHF6523 in COPD Patients

A randomized, double-blind study examined CHF6523, an inhaled PI3Kδ inhibitor, in patients with stable COPD and chronic bronchitis. While the drug showed significant target engagement, reducing PIP3 levels by 29.5% compared to placebo, it did not result in notable anti-inflammatory effects. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a fast peak concentration with steady-state achieved by Day 20. CHF6523 was well-tolerated overall, but 95.2% of participants reported mild-to-moderate coughing. The study concludes that PI3Kδ may not be a viable therapeutic target for COPD management.

ENDO-DIABETOLOGY

Targeted cortisol testing may identify treatable hypercortisolism in patients with resistant diabetes and cardiometabolic disease.

Hidden Cortisol Excess May Affect Difficult-to-Control Type 2 Diabetes

Mild cortisol excess may be an overlooked contributor to resistant type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiometabolic disease. Experts recommend targeted testing in high-risk patients, particularly those with persistent hyperglycaemia, severe insulin resistance, resistant hypertension or adrenal incidentalomas. The 1-mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test remains the preferred initial screening tool.

DENTISTRY

Molecular biomarkers could improve pulpitis diagnosis, but standardized thresholds and clinical validation are still needed.

Molecular Biomarkers May Improve Objective Pulpitis Diagnosis

A narrative review highlights limitations of thermal, electric and radiographic pulp tests in distinguishing reversible from irreversible pulpitis. Molecular biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid, dentinal fluid and pulpal blood could provide more objective, site-specific assessment of inflammation and support treatment decisions, although prospective validation and standardized diagnostic thresholds are still needed.

A review highlights limited effectiveness and potential harms of childhood obesity interventions, calling for system-level solutions.

Childhood Obesity Interventions Raise Ethical Concerns

A systematic review of 62 studies highlights major ethical concerns surrounding childhood obesity prevention and treatment. Researchers identified limited evidence of intervention effectiveness and potential harmful side effects across 11 intervention types. The findings call for a shift away from focusing primarily on individual behavior toward broader, system-level strategies to address childhood obesity.

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OPHTHALMOLOGY

Shanghai’s eye care resources remain concentrated in urban areas, with shortages of technicians and nurses requiring policy action.

Shanghai Study Reveals Urban–Suburban Gap in Eye Care Resources

A study tracking eye care resources in Shanghai from 2013–2019 found that institutions, doctors and technicians increased, but resources remained concentrated in urban areas. While ophthalmologist numbers were considered sufficient, shortages of technicians and nurses persisted. Researchers call for policies to improve urban–suburban equity and strengthen the supporting eye-care workforce.

NEUROLOGY

Multi-level airway surgery improved OSA severity and airway collapsibility, while isolated nasal surgery showed no consistent benefit.

Multi-Level Airway Surgery Improves Obstructive Sleep Apnea Physiology

A study of 10 people with obstructive sleep apnea found that multi-level upper-airway surgery substantially reduced airway collapsibility and improved OSA severity and physiological endotypes. Upper-airway collapsibility fell by up to 76% during inspiration. In contrast, isolated nasal surgery produced no consistent changes in OSA severity, collapsibility or endotypes.

Ortho MTA III showed comparable root canal success to gutta-percha, supporting its potential as an alternative obturation material.

Ortho MTA III Shows Comparable Success in Root Canal Treatment

A prospective randomized study found that Ortho MTA III achieved root canal treatment outcomes comparable to continuous-wave compaction using gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. At a median 30-month follow-up, success rates were 88.2% with OMTA versus 83.0% with conventional treatment under loose criteria. Age, lesion size and PAI score predicted treatment failure.

CARDIOLOGY

Detection of oral Porphyromonas gingivalis was associated with coronary heart disease, especially when also detected in blood.

Oral Porphyromonas gingivalis Linked to Coronary Heart Disease

A cross-sectional study of 165 patients undergoing coronary angiography found that detection of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontal pathogen, was associated with coronary heart disease. The strongest association occurred when the bacterium was detected in both oral and blood samples (PR 1.36). The findings also identified differences in gut microbial profiles among Pg-positive participants.

ONCOLOGY

Salivary duct carcinoma incidence rose sharply from 2000–2022, while survival improved only modestly, SEER data show.

Salivary Duct Carcinoma Incidence Rises While Survival Remains Limited

A SEER database analysis of 955 salivary duct carcinoma cases found incidence increased more than sevenfold from 2000 to 2022, with an average annual rise of 10.38%. Five-year disease-specific survival was 60.6%. Survival improved modestly in recent years, while older age, larger tumors, nodal spread and advanced stage predicted poorer outcomes.

GYNAECOLOGY - IVF

Vacuum-assisted birth was associated with a threefold higher risk of postpartum febrile morbidity in a large cohort study.

Vacuum-Assisted Birth Linked to Increased Postpartum Fever Risk

A retrospective cohort study of nearly 77,000 term vaginal births found that vacuum-assisted birth was independently associated with increased postpartum febrile morbidity. Fever occurred in 0.7% of women after vacuum-assisted birth versus 0.2% after spontaneous vaginal birth, with adjusted odds showing a threefold higher risk, supporting closer postpartum monitoring.

Cardiac mitochondrial heteroplasmy remains understudied, but new testing approaches and targeted therapies may improve risk assessment.

Mitochondrial Heteroplasmy May Shape Cardiac Disease Risk

Mitochondrial heteroplasmy—the coexistence of normal and mutated mitochondrial DNA—may have important consequences for the heart, yet cardiac effects remain understudied. A review highlights the limitations of blood testing and the potential of heart tissue and stem-cell models to improve risk assessment, while emerging mitochondrial therapies could eventually target harmful mutations.

Personalized antiplatelet therapy could improve thrombosis prevention by accounting for sex, age and biological differences in platelets.

Personalized Antiplatelet Therapy: Why Sex and Biology Matter

A state-of-the-art review highlights gaps in current antiplatelet treatment, particularly limited representation of women in clinical trials and biological differences in platelet function related to sex, age and disease. Researchers call for standardized platelet testing, diverse trial populations and targeted therapies that reduce thrombosis while preserving hemostasis and minimizing bleeding.

GENERAL MEDICINE

Study highlights gaps in physical activity, sleep and sedentary behavior among adults with intellectual disabilities and caregivers.

Physical Activity, Sleep and Sedentary Time in Adults With ID

A Canadian study of 39 adults with intellectual disabilities, 127 family caregivers and 116 service providers found substantial variation in physical activity, sleep and sedentary time. Walking was the most common activity, with 63.8% meeting activity guidelines when walking was included, but only 25% when excluded. Sleep quality concerns were also common across all groups.

PEDIATRICS

The SAGE framework aims to improve consistent, personalised use of Objects of Reference for people with profound disabilities.

SAGE Framework Improves Object-Based Communication in Disabilities

A practitioner-led study involving 54 family members and practitioners found that Objects of Reference can support communication for children and young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, but inconsistent use and misunderstanding can limit their value. The study introduces “Individual OoR” and the SAGE framework to promote more consistent, personalised communication.

Study suggests engagement may provide a context-sensitive alternative to traditional assessment for learners with profound disabilities.

Engagement-Based Assessment for Learners With Profound Disabilities

A mixed-methods observational study of six learners with profound and multiple learning disabilities found that engagement can provide meaningful insight into participation, readiness and environmental fit. Four dimensions emerged: relational safety, supported autonomy, regulation through disengagement and re-engagement, and interpretive assessment. Autonomy- and relationship-focused settings supported more sustained engagement.

Microsurgery significantly improved voice quality in patients with lipoid proteinosis, with benefits sustained for 2 years.

Microsurgery Improves Voice Outcomes in Lipoid Proteinosis

A retrospective study of 46 patients with lipoid proteinosis found that all developed hoarseness before age 5, commonly due to diffuse yellowish deposits on the vocal folds. Microsurgical treatment significantly improved voice quality and patient-reported outcomes, with benefits reaching 100% at 1 year and remaining stable at 2 years. Selected patients also benefited from vocal fold fat injection.

Inhaled PI3Kδ Inhibitor C...

Inhaled PI3Kδ Inhibitor CHF6523 Shows Target Engagement but Limited Effect in COPD